I haven't updated this section for a long time. But you and I have already discussed Look who is interested before the trip, and we will continue about Iceland. So …

1. Iceland is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, about 320 thousand people live here, and before the Second World War the population of the country was only 50 thousand.

2. Since everyone in Iceland knows each other, when a couple separates or divorces, they always try to maintain good relations. Cases when an ex-boyfriend does not communicate with an ex-girlfriend or ex-spouses do not talk to each other are extremely rare, because in any case, they have almost all of their friends and acquaintances in common.

3. Instead of surnames in Iceland there are patronymics, that is, an analogue of our patronymic. The particle “son” (that is, son) or “dottir” (if this is a daughter) is added to the father’s name, which results, for example, Silia Palmarsdottir, that is, Silia is the daughter of Palmars.

4. If the father for some reason does not recognize the child, the son or daughter receives a matronym as a surname, that is, the same patronymic, but after the mother’s name.

5. Since everyone in Reykjavik knows each other, the doors of houses are often not locked, car keys are thrown in cars, and children in strollers are left unattended at the entrance to a cafe, bar or store.

6. In Reykjavik, it is considered normal to go out to the nearest grocery store in your pajamas.

7. Residents of Reykjavik almost always pay for purchases with bank cards, even if they order coffee at a bar. Cash payments are not accepted here.

8. Icelanders are sure that blowing your nose is harmful to health, so in winter everyone here sniffles, that is, sorry, they suck in the snot.

9. But spitting, on the contrary, is not considered indecent; even girls spit on the street and in public places without any problems.

10. In fact, in Iceland in winter it is not as cold as we used to think; the temperature here rarely drops below -6 degrees.

11. But in winter it is dark in Iceland, December 21 - on the shortest day of the year, dawn comes at 10.30, and the sun sets at 16.00. In summer, long nights are replaced by long days, compared to which white nights in St. Petersburg are simply nothing; in June in Iceland the sun sets for only a couple of hours.

12. The lack of sunlight in winter is compensated to some extent by the northern lights; they can be observed constantly, so after a couple of weeks you no longer pay attention to them.

13. Since the sun does not shine in Iceland in winter, all residents of the country, in order to avoid rickets and other unpleasant diseases, are required to take fish oil, but not in liquid form, but in tasteless capsules.

14. Almost all residents of Iceland have profiles on Facebook; according to the latest data, Iceland is an active country on the social network.

15. Even if a resident of Iceland for some reason does not have a profile on Facebook, he can still be easily found on the Internet. All residents of the country, of their own free will, register on the ja.is website, where they indicate their first and last name, telephone number, address and place on the map where their home is located.

16. In Iceland, if a person is well disposed towards you, he demonstrates this by touching you every now and then.

17. There are an order of magnitude more blondes in Iceland than brunettes, so local women like to dye their hair a darker shade.

18. In order to spend the night with an Icelandic girl, long courtship is not required, most Icelandic women are, as they say, easy going, which is also why Italians and Spaniards love to come to Reykjavik.

19. Icelanders are very tolerant, a gay pride parade is regularly held in Reykjavik, homosexual marriages have been allowed here since 2010, and the percentage of bisexuals in the country is very high.

20. The most popular professions in Iceland are artist, musician or designer. Every second bartender or waiter is trying to get an education in a creative profession, and at the same time plays in some rock or folk band.

21. For the reason described above, no one here uses the services of designers, for example, in order to come up with the design of an apartment or a wedding dress. Residents of Iceland are sure that each of them is their own artist, so they prefer to come up with both the interior of the apartment and the design of the dress themselves.

22. Repairs in apartments are also done mainly with their own hands, without hiring workers.

23. Icelanders are crazy about Eurovision, they take the competition for young performers very seriously, and during the live broadcast the whole country watches what is happening on TV.

24. There are no McDonald's restaurants in Iceland; the last one closed in 2008 during the crisis.

25. The most popular names in Iceland: male - Jon and female - Guvrun. Old mythological names are also still common, such as aðalsteinn, which means "main stone".

26. Icelanders, like Russians, like to use abbreviated rather than full versions of names in everyday life, so David in the diminutive Icelandic version will be Dabby, Guvrun - Gunna, Stefan - Steppie, Jon - Nonny, etc.

27. The language of Iceland has remained virtually unchanged over the past 1000 years, so it contains letters that have disappeared from English, plus the inhabitants of the country can read ancient Viking sagas in the original without any problems.

28. The local population generally loves to read; today, according to some sources, Icelanders are the most reading people in the world.

29. The cost of wine in Iceland is often influenced not by the year of its production or quality, but by strength. Thus, an expensive but light French wine can cost several times less than a 15-degree babble.

30. Not in Iceland armed forces, their functions are performed to some extent by the coast guard.

31. Police in Iceland do not carry weapons and are not issued pistols.

32. Residents of Reykjavik, for the most part, are terrible at parking; they can abandon their car right across the street. The presence of tow trucks and fines for parking in the wrong place are of little help.

33. Icelanders try to use only renewable energy sources; gas and gasoline are used here only to fuel cars and boats, and this is because electric cars have not taken root in the country.

34. There is no need to pay for water in restaurants and cafes; it is still poured from the tap. This is local water thermal springs, and therefore it is absolutely suitable for drinking.

35. But hot tap water in Iceland smells like rotten eggs. The fact is that it also enters the water supply system directly from hot thermal springs, and they are rich in hydrogen sulfide.

36. Taking a hot thermal bath is a popular evening activity in Reykjavik; the cost of visiting when purchasing a subscription is about 5 euros.

37. In the houses of Iceland, as in Russia, there is a central heating system, which distinguishes the country favorably from Italy or France, where you have to pay for each time you turn on the heater.

38. Until the seventies of the twentieth century, Icelandic legislation allowed residents of the country to kill Turks with impunity. This is due to the fact that in the past, Turkish pirates often robbed Icelandic ships and coastal villages.

39. To this day, Icelandic legislation allows residents of the country to kill polar bears for food.

40. Liquorice is very popular in Iceland; it is added to any dish, plus they produce chocolates filled with licorice.

41. A national dish Iceland - hakarl - rotten Greenland shark meat cut into small pieces. If you don’t chew it and just swallow it, it’s still quite edible, but if you chew the meat, you’ll feel the “magical” taste of urea. The fact is that the Greenland shark does not have a urinary tract and its meat contains poisonous ammonia. In order for the meat to be eaten, it is left to rot underground or in a basement for three months. The creators of The Simpsons mocked the taste of this dish in one of the episodes of the animated series.

42. In Iceland they eat mainly fish, and all dishes are topped with mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup, after which the real taste of fish may not be recognized.

43. Most Icelanders have very bad teeth, and Iceland is one of the main sugar-consuming countries, and they also love Coca-Cola.

44. Most Icelanders still believe in elves and trolls, which leads to difficulties when building a house or road. Before starting construction, local “witches” are consulted to determine whether this or that stone can be moved, or whether an elf lives under it. Sometimes, in order not to “offend” the elf and move the stone, Icelanders have to perform magical rituals, for example, keeping the stone in honey for some time.

45. 2,148 people in Iceland adhere to the pagan teachings of the Ásatrú Association, which is based on the revival of Icelandic and Norwegian pagan beliefs. This religion is officially accepted, and its ministers can perform a wedding ceremony, which is equivalent to traditional marriage registration.

46. ​​In addition to the well-known Santa Claus, there are 15 more Santa Clauses in Iceland different types, by and large, they are all elves, in whom the locals believe.

47. Every major store in Reykjavik has a children's playground.

48. All Icelanders wear lopapeysa - a knitted sheep's wool jacket with a characteristic national pattern. We can say that this is the very example of a national costume that has not disappeared over time.

49. Icelanders are proud to have the oldest undissolved parliament in the world, it is called Alþingi and was founded in 930.

50. Residents of Iceland are very trusting; when applying for a job, they do not ask a foreigner for recommendations from a previous place of work, but simply take the newcomer’s word for it.

51. In the Icelandic Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, so-called “necropants” made from the flayed skin of the lower body of a dead person are on display. To receive them, the Icelandic sorcerer had to secure the person’s consent during his lifetime, and after death, dig up the body from the grave and rip off the skin in one piece. Then the ritual required stealing a coin from the widow and placing it in the scrotum of the necropants along with a special sign drawn on a piece of paper. It was believed that wearing such pants would allow you to quickly get rich.

52. Every Icelandic citizen has access to the Íslendingabók website, a genealogical database containing information about the family ties of all Icelanders since the 18th century. The task of compiling such a database could be solved thanks to the not very large population of the state (just over 300 thousand) and the fact that Iceland throughout its history was weakly influenced by both emigration and immigration. Many young people use this site to check if their new lover is their first cousin, to rule out the possibility of incest. Another popular use of the site is to check your relationship to famous people. For example, every Icelander can find out how many generations later he is related to Björk.

53. The most famous representatives of Icelandic folklore are the Huldufólk, or hidden people, who are often identified with elves. According to legends, these creatures hide in the mountains, although some Icelanders build small houses for them in their gardens and even small churches in order to convert the elves to Christianity. Sometimes in Iceland, building or utility projects are changed to avoid disturbing the supposed habitats of the elves, and in 2004 the Alcoa Corporation even had to obtain a certificate from a government expert that the chosen site for an aluminum smelter was free of hidden people. Surveys show that the number of Icelanders who accept or are confident in its existence is greater than those who doubt or completely deny elves.

54. Iceland is predominantly inhabited by coastal areas, and people travel around the country mainly along the coastal strip. Historically, Icelanders refer to the northwest edge of the island as west, the northeast edge as north, the eastern edge as east, and the Reykjavik area as south. Therefore, linguistic incidents are possible: when heading from the northwestern outskirts towards the northeastern outskirts, an Icelander says that he is going “north”, although in fact he is moving east, and when heading from the southwestern outskirts towards Reykjavik, i.e. in fact to the north, the Icelander says he is going “south”.

55. Until the 1990s, Iceland had a law according to which a foreigner wishing to take Icelandic citizenship must adopt an Icelandic name or change his name according to the traditions of the Icelandic language. But exceptions were made for celebrities. When the Soviet conductor and pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy emigrated to Iceland, the country's government added a new name to the official list of permitted names: “Vladimir Ashkenazy.”

56. In Scandinavian countries, dishes made from rotten or fermented fish are common. For example, the Icelandic dish hakarl is made from rotten shark meat, and the Swedish surströmming is made from sour herring.

57. Most residents of Iceland do not have a surname that is familiar to us, but are identified by their first and patronymic names. For example, Magnus Karlsson is Magnus, the son of Karl, and Anna Karlsdottir is Anna, the daughter of Karl.

59. In the Scandinavian countries (Norway and Iceland) the highest birth rate in Europe is among the indigenous population, not the immigrant population. The Scandinavians initially relied on improving the quality of life of the child, and not on increasing the number of births.

60. Detifoss waterfall, located in Iceland, is considered the most powerful waterfall in Europe: it discharges about 500 m³ of water per second. The splashes from it are visible at a distance of a kilometer, and in sunny weather the waterfall is certainly decorated with a rainbow.

62. For a long time, negotiations between representatives of the Scandinavian countries were conducted “in Scandinavian style” (in Swedish, Norwegian or Danish), but in recent years the Scandinavian languages ​​have become increasingly replaced by English at the request of representatives of Finland and Iceland

63. The largest glacier in Europe, Vatna Jökul (“glacier that gives water”, 8.5 thousand sq. km, which is equal to the area of ​​​​all glaciers of the European subcontinent) is located in the southeast of the country.

64. According to European Union statistics, more than 25% of the energy consumed by Scandinavians comes from renewable sources. For comparison, we note that for other European countries this figure is, on average, only six percent.

65. According to experts, Iceland, Germany and Norway finance health care the most - more than 9% of the state budget.

66 Reykjavik is the northernmost metropolis in the world (64 north latitude), founded in 874. Reykjavik got its name from the eruption of geothermal steam from geothermal springs, and it literally means “Smoky Bay”.

67. The widest “boiling” river in the world is Deidartunguver north of Reykjavik. The water consumption in these cascades of boiling water gushing from hot springs is 225 liters. per second.

68. The longest living creature on Earth was found off the coast of Iceland. It turned out to be a mollusk. Scientists counted the number of rings on its shell and found that the creature’s age is 405-410 years.

69. The territory of Iceland covers 103,300 square meters. km, of which glaciers occupy 11,000 sq. km, and the lakes are 2,700 sq. km. The country is rich in forests, stretching over an area of ​​about

1,511 sq. km. The most big lake in the country it is called Dingvallavatn, and the highest peak is Hvannadalshnukur.70. The country has a population of more than 300,000 people, of which about 150,000 people live in the capital. Part of the population settled along the coastal areas. Many inland regions of the country are not suitable for habitation. The average life expectancy of Icelanders is 80 years.

71. Because Iceland has many volcanoes, 30 of which have erupted in the last two hundred years, they are used to produce geothermal energy. The rivers flowing through the country provide it with hydroelectric energy. Since there are many rivers with hot water, the country receives heating that does not pollute the environment.

72. The Scandinavians settled in Iceland at the beginning of the 9th century. The founder of the capital is the Norwegian Viking Ingólfur Arnarson. Thus, people here use the Viking language, which was refined by many civilizations. Residents of the island bear their father's names rather than their surnames. Consequently, members of the same family have different surnames, which can confuse foreigners.

73. Icelanders use the heritage of antiquity by introducing some modern changes. They live in perfect harmony. There are many artists in the country who are specialists in the art of singing and composing.

74. At different times of the year, many colorful festivals are held here, and thematic exhibitions are often organized. The country has excellent culinary traditions, where seafood delicacies occupy an important place.75. Iceland is one of the first countries in the world to have a republican government. The country is now governed by a parliament called the Althing, which consists of 63 members. These members are elected every four years. The head of state has no influence on the country's politics.

76. The country's economy largely depends on fishing. Most people in the country work in the fishing industry and other related industries. Today's government is focusing on the tourism industry, and the second largest industry, close to fishing, is the export industry. The bulk of the country's income comes from seafood exports.

77. Iceland is a recognized member of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).78. Many activities on the island are attracting more and more tourists. These include whale watching, bird watching, hiking, horseback riding, skiing, bicycle rides, fishing, kayaking and excursions to glaciers.

79. Less than one percent of the world's population will be able to pronounce the word Eyjafjallajukutl. This is Iceland's most famous volcano. Of the several thousand people surveyed, only 0.005% were able to pronounce this word.

80. From July 1, 2010, striptease was banned in Iceland. To date, this is the only European country, where this type of dancing is prohibited.81. Despite the strong physical condition of the majority of the population, the most widespread sport in the country is chess. In 1931, parliament was dissolved for vacation due to the arrival of the famous Russian chess player Alexei Alekhine.

82. Today, more than 11% of Iceland's territory is covered by glaciers. Parliament in Iceland has been in operation since the tenth century, namely 930, and is considered the oldest working parliament in the world. It still works today.

83. Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, the most northern capital planet Earth. Back in the ninth century, the first settler of the island built a farm on the site of the capital, from which the country began to expand in all directions. His name was Ingolf Arnarson. Translated from the ancient Celtic language, Reykjavik reads “Smoking Bay”.84. In 1963 new island Sertsey appeared in the ocean south coast Iceland as a result of a volcanic eruption.

86. Iceland is the most big Island of volcanic origin.

87. The Scandinavians settled in Iceland at the beginning of the 9th century. The first settler is the Norwegian Viking Ingólfur Arnarsson.

88. Iceland produces 4 times more books per capita than the United States.

89. In Iceland there is a special phallic museum, which displays 150 penises of more than 40 species of mammals, as well as a collection of related objects. There is no human phallus on display yet, but the museum curator has already secured consent to receive this exhibit after death from an eighty-year-old farmer who is still in a “sexual” state.

90. central part The winter on the islands is so harsh and so similar to the lunar landscape that NASA and its astronauts practiced reaching the lunar surface in Central Iceland.

91. Vigdís Finnbogadóttir is the first female president in Europe and the second in the world. Icelanders are very proud of this fact. She was elected in 1980 and remained as president for 4 terms, until 1996.

92. The area of ​​the country is 7 times more area Moscow region.

93. The 1 Icelandic krona coin features a cod, the 10 krona coin features a herring, the 50 krona coin features a crab, and the 100 krona coin features a sea bass. The Icelandic currency is called isk in abbreviation.

94. There are no trees in Iceland. Or rather, there are individual trees and artificial plantings, but there are no dense forests. The first Icelandic settlers are to blame for this. When the field was depleted, they burned a new area of ​​​​the forest and sowed barley on it. Gradually, the forests on the island disappeared, and today soil erosion is one of the main problems of the country.

95. Icelanders are very proud of their language, and in every possible way resist what they consider to be the harmful influence of other languages ​​on Icelandic. There is even a special language commission, the main goal of which is to protect Icelandic from the penetration of foreign words. When any foreign concept or definition comes into use in the country, the commission specially invents or finds an Icelandic equivalent for it.

96. There are few cats in Iceland.

97. Completely absent in Iceland railways. It is preferable to travel on regular roads in Iceland in a 4x4 jeep. Optimally - on a super jeep with huge wheels, more than a meter long.

The original article is on the website InfoGlaz.rf Link to the article from which this copy was made -

Useful information for tourists about Iceland, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Iceland, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Iceland.

Information about Iceland

• Capital: Reykjavik
• Territory: 103 thousand sq. km
• Country code: +354
• Domain: .is
• Network: 220V
• Time: Moscow: -3 hours (summer), - 2 hours (winter).
• A visa is required to enter

Geography of Iceland

Republic of Iceland - Island state, located in the northern part Atlantic Ocean(northwest of Great Britain). The territory of the state consists of the island of Iceland and small islands around it.

There are more than 120 glaciers on the island, a large number of lakes and rivers Iceland is also distinguished by a large number of volcanoes, craters and hot springs. Of the more than 100 volcanoes, 25 have erupted in the last thousand years. The most famous among them are Hekla (1491 m) and Laki, which have about 100 craters.

Popular cities and resorts

State

State structure

Iceland is a republic with a presidential form of government. The executive power in the country is in the hands of the President and the government. Legislative power belongs to the President and the unicameral parliament - the Althing.

Language

Official language: Icelandic

English is spoken almost everywhere.

Religion

The state religion is Lutheranism (96% of believers), Catholics and other Christian communities make up about 3%. The influence of old pagan traditions is strong.

Currency

International name: ISK

The Icelandic krona is equal to 100 aurars. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 5000, 1000, 500 and 100 crowns, coins in 50, 10, 5 and 1 crown, as well as 50 and 10 aurar.

You can exchange cash currency freely in banks, The Change Group offices and hotels. Traveler's checks are accepted everywhere. Credit cards The world's leading payment systems are accepted everywhere. ATMs are located in all banks, large shops, hotels and on most high streets, and work with all types of credit cards.

Iceland map

Popular attractions

Tourism in Iceland

Popular hotels

Excursions and attractions in Iceland

Iceland is an island state washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The main attraction of the country is its unique nature. Here you can see unimaginably beautiful waterfalls, geysers, bizarre volcanic landscapes, fjords, glaciers and much more. Iceland is ideal for lovers active rest And wildlife.

The capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, is the northernmost capital in the world. This is a fairly young and modern city. There is not a single industrial facility here, and houses are heated using hot water from thermal springs, so the city is famous for its truly clean and fresh air. Among the attractions of Reykjavik, the most interesting are the Althing (Parliament House), the Government building, Cathedral Reykjavik, Hallgrimskirkja Church, Reykjavik Free Church, National Museum of Iceland, National Gallery Iceland, Museum of Art, Perlan, Hövdi and the Arni Magnusson Institute. The city also has many restaurants, bars, nightclubs and discos, as well as a very vibrant night life. Not far from Reykjavik there is the famous spa complex of Iceland - “ Blue Lagoon" The unique composition of the geothermal spring water (with a year-round temperature of +38-+39 °C) and its healing properties make the resort very popular.

Geyser fields are considered one of the country's calling cards. Iceland has over 250 individual geyser groups (approximately 7,000 hot springs). The most interesting is the Haukadalur valley, which is part of the popular a tourist route « Golden ring" The valley contains the two most famous Icelandic geysers - Strokkur (eruption height up to 20 m) and Geysir or Great Geysir (eruption height up to 60 m), as well as the famous Gullfoss waterfall - one of the most scenic spots Iceland. The same route includes the famous Thingvellir National Park (included in the UNESCO heritage list). Here is the so-called Silfra fissure (fault) - the only such place in the world where extreme diving enthusiasts have the opportunity to swim between the junction of the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Iceland is famous for its huge number of waterfalls. In addition to Gullfoss, the most beautiful waterfalls include the “Waterfall of God” Goudafoss, the most powerful in Europe Dettifoss, the black waterfall Svartifoss, the lava waterfalls Hroinfossar, Seljalandsfoss, as well as the waterfalls Öksaraurfoss, Glymur, Hauifoss and Tjoufafoss. Iceland is also home to many volcanoes, the most famous of which is Hekla, which is considered the most active volcano country and the largest in Europe.

One of the most famous attractions is Vatnajökull National Park, which combines the parks Skaftafell and Jökulsárgluvur. It is located at the foot of the glacier of the same name - the largest in Europe. The unique natural landscapes of the park create an indelible impression. There are mountains and plains, giant glaciers and volcanoes, active geysers and lava fields, as well as stunningly beautiful ice caves with hot springs and amazing waterfalls.

Every year Iceland becomes more and more popular and attracts a huge number of tourists from all over the world.

Icelandic cuisine

A special feature of Icelandic cuisine is the variety of food processing methods. The meat is smoked, salted and marinated. Traditionally, almost all parts of animals are used. A lot of fish and seafood dishes. Fish, like meat, is often dried, dried or smoked. One of the national fish dishes is hakarl - shark meat, stored in the ground for 2 months, which is served in small pieces and washed down with Icelandic schnapps. Dairy products are also very common.

Tips

Tipping is not accepted; usually it is given only to doormen in restaurants and hotels. In all other cases, a tip for service is included in the bill. In fashionable hotels, restaurants and nightclubs, wardrobe is paid.

Visa

Office hours

Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday from 09:15 to 16:00.

Shops are usually open from 10:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Friday, on Saturdays - from 10:00 to 14:00-16:00. Some large department stores are open until 22:00 on Fridays. On Sunday, and in the summer - on Saturdays, all shops are closed.

Safety

Particular care should be taken when moving independently in unfamiliar terrain, especially in mountainous areas, since volcanic activity here is quite high even outside the volcanic fields. Therefore, it is quite possible to “run into” a sudden eruption of a geyser or end up in a mud pit.

The nature here is inspiring and the people are very friendly.

This island will not leave you indifferent. It is not surprising that there are a huge number of writers in Iceland - the environment can motivate them to create something interesting and unusual.

In Iceland, you can also notice many unusual things, and here you will learn about the most interesting of them.

1. The most popular food in Iceland is hot dogs. They are sold almost everywhere - at gas stations, restaurants and roadside establishments.

2. In 1998, a study was conducted which found that the majority of Icelanders believe in the existence of elves.

Some believe that elves can be of different sizes, from a few centimeters to 3 meters in height.

They can live in houses, sometimes multi-story, and if you leave them alone, they will simply mind their own business.

Iceland on the map

3. Almost all electrical energy and heating in Iceland comes from geothermal and hydroelectric power plants.

4. In Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, there is a Phallological Museum, which displays preserved mammal penises.

5. Since 2010, strip clubs have been illegal in Iceland.

10. Reykjavik is the most northern city from all cities of independent states.

Life in Iceland

11. In Iceland, in the cold, you can see strollers with children, whom the parents left to breathe fresh air while the kids sleep.

12. In most cases, Icelanders do not have a surname in the usual sense for us. Their surname is actually their father's name, but with the prefix -dottir (daughter) or -son (son). For example, Olafur Jónsson means that Olafur is the son of Jónsson.

13. Until 1989, beer was prohibited in Iceland.

14. Iceland has the best ratio of pools per capita in the world. Thanks to the wealth of geothermal energy, anyone in the country can visit a swimming pool, even an outdoor one, for a modest price.

How to live in Iceland

15. Iceland does not have a standing army.

16. The climate of Iceland is not as cold as many people think. average temperature air temperature in winter is about 2 degrees Celsius.

1. Iceland is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, with about 320 thousand people living here, and before the Second World War the population of the country was only 50 thousand.

2. Since everyone in Iceland knows each other, when a couple separates or divorces, they always try to maintain good relations. Cases when an ex-boyfriend does not communicate with an ex-girlfriend or ex-spouses do not talk to each other are extremely rare, because in any case, they have almost all of their friends and acquaintances in common.

3. Instead of surnames in Iceland there are patronymics, that is, an analogue of our patronymic. The particle “son” (that is, son) or “dottir” (if this is a daughter) is added to the father’s name, which results, for example, Silia Palmarsdottir, that is, Silia is the daughter of Palmars.

4. In the event that the father for some reason does not recognize the child, the son or daughter receives a matronym as a surname, that is, the same patronymic, but after the mother’s name.

5. Since everyone in Reykjavik knows each other, house doors are often left unlocked, car keys are thrown in cars, and children in strollers are left unattended at the entrance to a cafe, bar or store.

6. In Reykjavik, it is considered normal to go out to the nearest grocery store in your pajamas.

7. Residents of Reykjavik almost always pay for purchases with bank cards, even if they order coffee at a bar. Cash payments are not accepted here.

8. Icelanders are sure that blowing your nose is harmful to health, so in winter everyone here sniffles, that is, sorry, they suck in the snot.

9. But spitting, on the contrary, is not considered indecent; even girls spit on the street and in public places without any problems.

10. In fact, in Iceland in winter it is not as cold as we used to think; the temperature here rarely drops below - 6 degrees.

11. But in winter it is dark in Iceland, December 21 - on the shortest day of the year, dawn comes at 10.30, and the sun sets at 16.00. In summer, long nights are replaced by long days, compared to which white nights in St. Petersburg are simply nothing; in June in Iceland the sun sets for only a couple of hours.

12. The lack of sunlight in winter is compensated to some extent by the northern lights; they can be observed constantly, so after a couple of weeks you no longer pay attention to them.

13. Since the sun does not shine in Iceland in winter, all residents of the country, in order to avoid rickets and other unpleasant diseases, are required to take fish oil, but not in liquid form, but in tasteless capsules.
14. Almost all Icelandic residents have profiles on Facebook; according to the latest data, Iceland is an active country on the social network.

15. Even if a resident of Iceland for some reason does not have a Facebook profile, he can still be easily found online. All residents of the country, of their own free will, register on the website www.ja.is, where they indicate their first and last name, telephone number, address and place on the map where their home is located.

16. In Iceland, if a person is well disposed toward you, he demonstrates this by touching you every now and then.

17. There are an order of magnitude more blondes in Iceland than brunettes, so local women like to dye their hair a darker shade.

18. In order to spend the night with an Icelandic girl, long courtship is not required; most Icelandic women are, as they say, easy going, which is also why Italians and Spaniards love to come to Reykjavik.

19. Icelanders are very tolerant, a gay pride parade is regularly held in Reykjavik, homosexual marriages have been allowed here since 2010, and the percentage of bisexuals in the country is very high.

20 . The most popular professions in Iceland are artist, musician or designer. Every second bartender or waiter is trying to get an education in a creative profession, and at the same time plays in some rock or folk band.

21. For the reason described above, no one here uses the services of designers, for example, to come up with the design of an apartment or a wedding dress. Residents of Iceland are sure that each of them is their own artist, so they prefer to come up with both the interior of the apartment and the design of the dress themselves.

22. Repairs in apartments are also done mainly with their own hands, without hiring workers.

23. Icelanders are crazy about Eurovision, the competition for young performers is taken very seriously here, and during the live broadcast the whole country follows what is happening on TV.

24. There are no McDonald's restaurants in Iceland; the last one closed in 2008 during the crisis.

25. The most popular names in Iceland: male - Jon and female - Guvrun. Old mythological names are also still common, such as aðalsteinn, which means "main stone".

26. Icelanders, like Russians, like to use in everyday life not full, but abbreviated versions of names, so David in the diminutive Icelandic version will be Dabby, Guvrun - Gunna, Stefan - Steppie, Jon - Nonny, etc.

27. The language of Iceland has remained virtually unchanged over the past 1,000 years, so it contains letters that have disappeared from English, plus the inhabitants of the country can read the ancient Viking sagas in the original without any problems.

28. The local population generally loves to read; today, according to some sources, Icelanders are the most reading people in the world.

29. The cost of wine in Iceland is often influenced not by the year of its production or quality, but by strength. Thus, an expensive but light French wine can cost several times less than a 15-degree babble.

30. Iceland has no armed forces; its functions are performed to some extent by the coast guard.

31. Police officers in Iceland do not carry weapons and are not issued pistols.

32. Residents of Reykjavik, for the most part, are terrible at parking, and can abandon their car right across the street. The presence of tow trucks and fines for parking in the wrong place are of little help.

33. Icelanders try to use only renewable energy sources; gas and gasoline are used here only to fuel cars and boats, and this is because electric cars have not taken root in the country.

34. There is no need to pay for water in restaurants and cafes; it is still poured from the tap. This is water from local thermal springs, and therefore it is absolutely suitable for drinking.

35. But hot tap water in Iceland smells like rotten eggs. The fact is that it also enters the water supply system directly from hot thermal springs, and they are rich in hydrogen sulfide.

36. Taking a hot thermal bath is a popular evening activity in Reykjavik; the cost of visiting when purchasing a subscription is about 5 euros.

37. In the houses of Iceland, as in Russia, there is a central heating system, which distinguishes the country favorably from Italy or France, where you have to pay for each time you turn on the heater.

38. Until the seventies of the twentieth century, Icelandic legislation allowed residents of the country to kill Turks with impunity. This is due to the fact that in the past, Turkish pirates often robbed Icelandic ships and coastal villages.

39. To this day, Icelandic legislation allows residents of the country to kill polar bears for food.

40. Liquorice is very popular in Iceland; it is added to any dish, plus they produce chocolates filled with licorice.

41. The national dish of Iceland is hakarl - rotten Greenland shark meat cut into small pieces. If you don’t chew it and just swallow it, it’s still quite edible, but if you chew the meat, you’ll feel the “magical” taste of urea. The fact is that the Greenland shark does not have a urinary tract and its meat contains poisonous ammonia. In order for the meat to be eaten, it is left to rot underground or in a basement for three months. The creators of The Simpsons mocked the taste of this dish in one of the episodes of the animated series.

42. In Iceland they eat mainly fish, and all dishes are topped with mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup, after which the real taste of the fish may not be recognized.

43. Most Icelanders have very bad teeth, and Iceland is one of the main sugar-consuming countries, and they also love Coca-Cola.

44. Most Icelanders still believe in elves and trolls, which makes it difficult to build a house or a road. Before starting construction, local “witches” are consulted to determine whether this or that stone can be moved, or whether an elf lives under it. Sometimes, in order not to “offend” the elf and move the stone, Icelanders have to perform magical rituals, for example, keeping the stone in honey for some time.

45. 2,148 people in Iceland adhere to the pagan teachings of the Ásatrú Association, which is based on the revival of Icelandic and Norwegian pagan beliefs. This religion is officially accepted, and its ministers can perform a wedding ceremony, which is equivalent to traditional marriage registration.

46. In addition to the well-known Santa Claus, in Iceland there are 15 more Santa Clauses of different types, by and large they are all elves, in whom the locals believe.

47. Every major store in Reykjavik has a children's play area.

48. All Icelanders wear lopapeysa - a knitted sheep's wool jacket with a characteristic national pattern. We can say that this is the very example of a national costume that has not disappeared over time.

49. Icelanders are proud to have the oldest intact parliament in the world, called Alþingi, founded in 930.

50. Residents of Iceland are very trusting; when applying for a job, they do not ask a foreigner for recommendations from a previous place of work, but simply take the newcomer’s word for it.

Iceland is called the “land of ice”. Where there is no ice there are mountains, volcanoes, bare earth or lakes. Tourists come here as if they were on the “edge of the world,” because such landscapes cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. Most of the attractions are natural objects– waterfalls, ice lagoon, geysers, large national parks. A certain proportion of travelers are those who came purposefully to see the famous northern lights.

However, do not think that Iceland has nothing to show in the cultural aspect. The country's capital is actively developing and can offer travelers many places to explore - a concert hall, where world celebrities often perform, and various museums. The city of Husavik is popular among tourists. Objects to see include the Whale Museum and the shocking Phallological Museum.

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What to see in Iceland?

The most interesting and Beautiful places, photographs and brief description.

1. Hallgrimskirkja

2. Sculpture “Sun Voyager” (Reykjavik)

The name translates as “solar wanderer”. The sculpture, popular among tourists, is installed on the embankment in the very center of the city. The author of the monument, artist Jon Gunnar Arnason, created the sketch while seriously ill. Simple in appearance, it carries deep symbolism. The design, reminiscent of a ship, signifies the pursuit of a dream and new horizons. The height of the structure reaches 3 meters, and the length is 4 meters.

3. Laugavegur Street (Reykjavik)

One of the most popular shopping streets in Reykjavik. It has the atmosphere of the “old” city. In the past, this street led to the hot springs, where there were laundries. One of the most popular goods among tourists on this street are products made from volcanic lava. The second most popular souvenir from here is a sheep's wool sweater. In the evening, shops stop working, and bars, nightclubs, and restaurants open.

4. Perlan (Reykjavik)

City boiler house building. Its hemispherical dome is like a flower, each petal of which is a reservoir of hot water. The building is multifunctional and is popular not only among tourists, but also among city residents. On the ground floor there is a winter garden, in the center of which there is a geyser. Some floors are occupied by shops. On the top floor there is Observation deck with telescopes.

5. Harpa Concert Hall (Reykjavik)

The concert hall building looks like two giant shards of basalt, the rock that makes up most of Iceland's mountains. Construction of the hall took several years due to funding problems and was completed in 2011. Kharp's premises house not only 4 concert halls, but there are conference and seminar rooms, shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as an observation deck overlooking the center of Reykjavik.

6. Exhibition “871 +/- 2” (Reykjavik)

The exhibition is located in the city center. It contains ancient and ancient artifacts from the time of the first settlers. The exhibition also features a variety of interactive exhibits. The museum building was built on the site of 10th-century huts, and the exhibition is located in the basement of this building. The exhibits include household and cultural objects of the 9th century. The central exhibit is a pioneer cabin.

7. National Museum of Iceland (Reykjavik)

The museum's exposition contains the most valuable items of culture and everyday life of the Icelandic people. Here you can trace the history of the country in different eras. The museum was opened in 1863, and in 1950 it settled in a building specially built for its needs. Permanent exhibition National Museum is about 2000 exhibits. The number of photographs, engravings and drawings exceeds 4 million. The museum organizes educational events.

8. Arbaeyarsafn

Folklore Museum under open air. Founded in 1957 to preserve traditions from generation to generation. The museum complex includes residential buildings of peasants, a Catholic church, and workers’ workshops. Each building houses a thematic exhibition. The place is popular among tourists. They come to get acquainted with the culture and way of life of the Icelanders, original folklore and interesting architecture.

9. Whale museums in Reykjavik and Husavik

Whaling in Iceland has been a long-standing subject of controversy. Activists and scientists opposed to it have founded whale museums. The museum's exhibition in Reykjavik consists of 23 life-size whale models. It creates the illusion of being under water - with the help of blue lighting and a sound system. The Husavik Whale Museum is less technologically advanced than the one in Reykjavik. Its main exhibit is the skeleton of a whale.

10. Phallological Museum (Reykjavik)

The museum has no analogues in the world in terms of the uniqueness of its exhibition. Visitors can see preserved penises various types mammals, including humans. In total, the museum has about 200 exhibits. Thematic paintings and sculptures are also on display, and some works of art are made from the genitals themselves. Museum founder Sigurdur Hjartarson has been collecting this unusual collection since 1974.

11. Aurora Reykjavik (Reykjavik)

An interactive center that uses the latest technology to recreate the Northern Lights for visitors. The Northern Lights projection room is the centerpiece of the museum. Other sections feature photographs, educational materials and the history of studying this natural phenomenon. Visitors can take colorful photos in a special photo booth. There is a souvenir shop with themed goods.

12. Monument to Leif Eriksson (Reykjavik)

Located at the entrance to the Lutheran Church Hallgrimskirkja. Leif Eriksson or Leif the Happy was born in Iceland at the end of the 10th century and became famous as a great navigator and ruler of Greenland. The sculpture of a person significant in Icelandic history was donated to Reykjavik by the United States in 1930 in honor of the millennium of the Icelandic Parliament. Sculptor Stirling Calder symbolically depicted the navigator standing on the bow of the boat.

13. Blue Lagoon

Geothermal natural complex. The resort is known all over the world, some call it the symbol of the country. The peninsula where the natural pool is located is formed from porous lava, through which seeps sea ​​water, forming a sky-turquoise color. The water temperature, even in winter, is not less than +37°C. Mineral water the complex has unique composition, there are no bacteria in it. The bottom is covered with healthy white clay.

14. Route “Golden Ring”

Most popular among tourists excursion route in Iceland. Its most interesting natural attractions are the Gullfoss waterfall, national park Thingvellir, the hot river in Hveragerdi, the valley of the Høykadalur geysers with the Strokkur and Geysir geysers. Some tour operators offer one-day excursions along this route, but experienced travelers advise devoting at least 2-3 days to it.

15. Laugavegur

The most famous route among backpackers in Iceland. It is considered one of the most beautiful and picturesque in the world. The hike takes on average 3-4 days, length 55 km., highest point 1050 meters. Along the route there are small bases where you can spend the night. The trail passes through mountains, glaciers, and lava fields. On the way, tourists encounter many waterfalls, lakes and picturesque rivers.

16. Thingvellir

The national park is included in the list of UNESCO protected sites. Founded in 1928. The park is located 40 km from the capital, on the border of two lithospheric plates. Earthquakes often occur here. The park includes the largest lake in Iceland, Thingvallavatn, about 100 meters deep. Part of the park is an active volcanic zone. The most notable volcano in this area is Hengil Volcano.

17. Skaftafell

Founded in 1967. Natural landscape national park formed by the interaction of fire and water, namely the eruptions of the Erayvajökull volcano under the Skeidaraurjökull and Skaftafellsjökull glaciers, as well as the flows of the Morsau and Skeidarau rivers. The park is partially covered with birch forest. The area is popular with tourists, with designated camping areas and hiking trails.

18. Surtsey

The appearance of the island was caused by the eruption of an underwater volcano in 1963. Similar geological events occurred on Earth millions of years ago during the formation of continents. The height of the island above sea level is 50 meters, the area is 2.5 km². From the first days of its existence to the present day, the island has been the object of close study of the processes of the emergence and spread of life.

19. Valley of Geysers Haukadalur

This unusual valley is located in the south of Iceland and is part of the Golden Circle route. The numerous geysers in this place attract the attention of many tourists. Notable is the geyser called Geysir. The Great Geyser emits large jets of steam several times a day, but not periodically. The second popular geyser, called Strokkoyur, is more predictable - it releases jets of hot water every 10 minutes.

20. Gullfoss Waterfall

One of the most beautiful waterfalls Iceland. It consists of two steps with a height of 21 meters and 11 meters. The steps are located at an angle of 90° to each other. The volume of water passing through the waterfall is impressive - in summer it reaches 130 m³/sec. At the top of the waterfall is the Sigriudur Thomasdottir monument. This is the daughter of the owner of the land on whose territory there was a waterfall at the beginning of the 20th century. According to legend, it was she who prevented the waterfall from being used for the needs of a hydroelectric power station.

21. Dettifoss Waterfall

Known as the most powerful waterfall in Europe. Its name means "bubbling waterfall". Located in the large Jökulsárglúvur National Park. Nearby there are two other picturesque and popular waterfalls - Selfoss and Hafragilfoss, as well as Lake Myvatn. The width of the Dettifoss waterfall reaches 100 meters. Its waters fall down from a height of 44 meters. Water flow during floods reaches 600 m³/sec.

22. Skógafoss waterfall

It is one of the most visited not only in Iceland, but also in the world. Located next to the Eyjafjallajökull glacier near the village of Skógar. In the past, the coastline passed through this place. A hiking trail has been laid especially for tourists to the top of the Fimmvurduhalus Pass. It offers a beautiful view of the 60-meter waterfall. Its width is 25 meters. You can see a rainbow in the spray of the waterfall on a sunny day.

23. Seljalandsfoss waterfall

Located on the Seljalandsau River at the site of the former coastline, above which it rises 60 meters. Behind the waterfall, there is a deep indentation within the rock cliffs. It is accessible to people, so Seljalandsfoss waterfall can be viewed from all sides. It looks especially beautiful at sunset. Near the waterfall there is a site for setting up tents and resting for tourists.

24. Landmannalaugar

The Landmannalaugar Valley is part of a large nature reserve in Iceland. The unusual landscape of the valley is created by formations of lava and water. The mountains of this bridge are created by crystallized formations of volcanic rock. The color of these stones changes depending on the lighting. It can be yellow or red with streaks of purple or green. There are routes of varying degrees of difficulty along the valley.

25. Kerid

Crater lake in the south of Iceland. It is part of the volcanic zone along with the Langjökull glacier and the Reykjanes Peninsula. The red color of the volcano basin is typical of volcanic rock. It is 55 meters deep and 170 meters wide. The basin of the lake is quite ancient - it was formed about three thousand years ago. The lake, about 10 meters deep, has an unusual color with a bright aquamarine tint.

26. Fjadrarglufur Canyon

Located next to a small fishing village in the east of Iceland. The picturesque views of this canyon attract travelers from all over the world. In terms of size, it is one of the largest among similar canyons. The Fjadrarglufur Canyon was formed more than 2 million years ago after the collapse of a large glacier. It is distinguished by its vertical walls. Its length is about 2 km; a small river flows along the bottom of the canyon.

27. Mount Kirkjufell

With its steep slopes, the shape of the mountain resembles the roof of a Lutheran church. The slopes received this shape after the glacier disappeared. The height of the mountain is 463 meters. At the foot there is a small waterfall; photos from this angle are especially good. Usually travelers take a walk around the mountain - it takes no more than an hour. You can climb to its top only with special equipment.

28. Lake Myvatn

A beautiful lake in the north of Iceland. The diameter of the lake is 10 km. The area around it is considered the most popular tourist area in the country. The hills near the lake are home to both indoor geothermal pools and outdoor hot water pools. Fishing in the lake is carried out only with a license. For fans of the Game of Thrones series, the lake is interesting because several scenes of the fifth season were filmed on its shores.

29. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

The ice lagoon is the largest in Iceland. The area of ​​the lagoon is 20 km², the depth reaches 200 meters. From the shore you can see a large ice cap, from which icebergs often break off. Blocks of ice can reach a size of 30 meters. In order to see the icebergs clinging to the lagoon, excursions by jeep and snowmobile are popular. Jökulsárlón Lagoon is popular place for filming films and commercials.

30. Diamond Beach

The name "Diamond Beach" comes from the ice crystals scattered on the black sandy shore. Ice fragments of various sizes and incredible shapes are pieces of hundreds of icebergs in the Jökulsárlón lagoon. Crystals on the shore and icebergs in the water look especially beautiful under the rays of the setting or rising sun. At such moments, the ice shards shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow.

31. Reynisfjara Beach

Popular among tourists due to its black volcanic sandy shore. It was formed over many years of crushing hardened lava with water. Picturesque grottoes made of black shiny stone on the shore seem to transport vacationers to another reality. The length of the beach is more than 5 km, and the width is several tens of meters. Near the shore there are tall basalt columns called “Troll Fingers.”

32. Cape Dyrholaey

Locals call this cape "the hole in the door." With their shape, the rocks on the shore really resemble doorways. The landscape is striking in its color range - the gray color of the volcanic rocks smoothly turns into the black color of the sand on the shore and the blue water of the ocean. Cape Dyrholaey is a protected area. Therefore, during bird nesting periods from mid-May to mid-June, passage to the cape is prohibited.

33. "Peace Column"

The memorial was erected in memory of musician John Lennon. The initiator of the installation was his widow Yoko Ono. The monument is a white stone pedestal. Rays of light come from it into the sky, forming a tower. In good cloudless weather, the height of the rays can reach four km. According to the authors of the project, the tower symbolizes the struggle for world peace, which was started by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in the 60s of the 20th century.

34. Wreckage of a Douglas DC-3

The wreck of the plane that crashed emergency landing in 1973. None of the crew were injured. The military took all valuable equipment from the plane, and left the empty hull at the landing site. A 4 km long paved route leads to the aircraft from the car park. Tourists who have been there talk about the incredible impressions of seeing the wreckage of an airplane in the middle of deserted kilometers of black beach.

35. Northern Lights

Iceland is one of the few countries where you can see the northern lights. The most likely period to see this natural phenomenon with your own eyes is from September to April. It is also recommended to go to the north of the country or to the Western Fjords - the dark time of day lasts longer there, which means there are more chances to see the coveted multi-colored flashes in the sky. For those who want to “catch” the northern lights, there are special organized auto tours.